When I reach infront of the luxurious mansion, I can't help but envy my sister. No, don't go there, hani! You too have it all back at home, a big apartment, and most importantly your dad. Yes, I have my dad. I say to myself, smiling. I ring the bell and soon the door is opened by a maid there and she let me enter the mansion. Upon entering, I find Mr. Rossi sitting on the couch with his wife, and beside them is a girl wearing a floral white sundress. She looks exactly like me, same facial features, same eyes. Just our hair is different. That is my sister. A small smile etches on my lips. She is beautiful, just like our mother.
"Ms. Baidwani, come, come." Says Mr. Rossi which pulls my attention to him. I nod in acknowledge as I stroll towards them. Mr. and Mrs. Rossi stand up but my sister stays seated with her eyes boring into her phone. She is looking the least interested to meet me. I sigh.Does she know that I am her sister?"Hello, dear. I am Isabella Rossi, Arabella's mother." She greets me with a brief hug."Hello, I am Dhanishta Baidwani. Nice to meet you, ma'am." I reply politely. She smiles and looks at Arabella."Honey! Come meet your sister. She is Dhanishta, your twin." She tells her. Arabella exhales heavily and looks up at me with a bored expression. "Hello, sister. It's nice to meet to you." She says and goes back to scroll through her phone. Mrs. Rossi frowns and snatches her phone away. "That is no way to talk to your sister, Ara!" She scolds her but she just rolls her eyes at her and stands up."Sorry, mom. Sorry 'sister'. But I will go to my room now." She announces and goes away. What a spoiled brat! I scoff."I am sorry, Dhanishta. She is just moody sometimes. Don't mind her." Says Mrs. Rossi apologetically. I shake my head."It is alright. Can we talk for what I am here?" I ask coming to the point. Mr. Rossi nods."Sure, Ms. Baidwani. Come, sit." He says and leads me to sit on the couch. Mrs. Rossi sits beside me. "The thing is, the Morellis family is coming tonight, for dinner, so that their son can meet Arabella in person. And I can't stall them any longer. What should we do now?" He explains to me. I nod slowly."Don't worry, sir. We will do the things just as we have planned it. Let them come. I will manage everything. Just make Arabella ready for everything that has to come her way." I tell him to which he nods in agreement.******Darin's POV"So, let us now read about phylum chordata. Turn to page number 78, all of you." Our professor announces and I come back from my daydream. I was again drowning myself in the thoughts of mesmerizing deep chocolate brown eyes of hers. I close my eyes for a brief second to shake those thoughts off my mind. Why am I thinking about her? I don't know if I will ever be able to see her again. I don't know why she was there yesterday, and why she saved me from those boys. I let out an exasperated sigh and try to concentrate on what our professor is saying.......Tonight, we are going to the Rossi mansion. I don't think that I have met them before. It would be my first time going to their house ever. All I know about them is that their daughter is my betrothed. How? I don't know! When? I have no idea!Hell! I don't even know her name. Am I really going to get engaged to her?All my dad has said to me is that I need not worry because I will not be marrying her. It is just an engagement. Maybe for publicity stunt? I don't really know.Urghhh...This all is giving me a headache now. No, I can't lose my focus now. I have a seminar to give in just five days and I have to prepare for it.Just when I am about to start my preparation, my phone rings. I see to find that it is my mom."Yeah, mom.""Baby? You sound tired. Are you alright?" She asks worriedly."Yeah, mom. I am fine. It is just that all the preparation for the upcoming exams is taking a toll on me." I say."Why don't you come and live in the mansion with us, baby? I am sure that you are not eating well." She rants like a typical mom. I chuckle at that."Mom, I assure you that I am eating well. I don't starve myself, I swear. But now I have to go, I have a lot of preparation to do for my upcoming seminar. I will call back later, okay?""Okay, okay. But remember, you have to be here by seven tonight or your dad will get moody again." I laugh."I swear dad is getting moodier than a lady in her periods.""Hey, don't say like that." She warns me playfully before laughing at my comment."Okay, I will hang up now.""Okay. Bye baby!" I hang up. Then I start by making notes on the topic I have chosen.Soon, I become tired and decide to take a break. But when I look at the clock, my eyes widen. How come could I not notice it? It is already six and I have to be in the mansion before seven, and then we have to leave for the Rossis'."Oh, hell no!" I grumble and run into my bathroom to get freshened up.After taking a quick, warm shower, I come out and decide to wear a simple light yellow button down shirt with demin jeans. I won't go for anything fancy tonight. I put on my chronograph watch and shoes. I then wear my favorite deodorant and I am ready. Getting in my car, I drive towards my parents' mansion.Darin's POV When I reach the mansion, I see my parents are already out and are waiting for me by their SUV. I look at my watch and it is two minutes past seven. I sigh. I know all too well that my father is a very, very punctual man. Unlike me. And I am in for some damn lecture now! I park my car and get out of it. My dad has a serious expression etched on his face and I know that he is about to lash on me. But I am just two minutes late for crying out loud!! "Hey! mom, dad." I say with a sheepish smile across my lips trying my best not to be a victim of his oncoming outburst. My mom shakes her head at me. "Had your mom not called you earlier to remind to come by before seven, young lad?" Asks my father in a cold tone that is enough to make me gulp. Yes, she had called me but what can I say? That it slipped my mind? No damn way happening! "Uhmm...I am going to have a seminar, dad. So, I was preparing for the same and kind of forgot to take notice of the time. Sorry?" I say sheepis
Darin's POV "Hello, Darin!" I flinch when I heard that voice. No, not again! I slowly turn my swivel around to see Arabella standing at my room door. I force myself to smile at her."Hello, Arabella! Please come in." After all, you have taken the pain to come to my house even if you I never invited you. I stop myself from blurting that out. She smiles brightly and comes into my room. After that day when we went to have dinner at their place, my father told her that she could come to my penthouse where I live, alone, if she needs any help from me. So, here she is now, in my penthouse. I guess, she is here because she needs my help in something and not just want to pass time with me! "Hey, what are you doing?" She asks with enthusiasm, something I am lacking right now. "As you can see, I was trying to study. I have a seminar to present in less than three days from now." I inform her thinking that she will leave now. But guess I am damn wrong 'cause she goes to sit on my bed beside w
"Uh...I don't think so." I can see that his eyes are frowning as I say this. "What? I...I am so sorry, I just thought that we could be friends or something. I am so sorry I overstepped my boundaries." He starts rambling. "Darin! I mean to say that ofcourse we can be friends but the thing is...you don't seem to be too fond of me. I mean, from the day we met, you never showed any interest in talking to me or even when I talked to you. So..." I trail off not knowing what else to say. I just want to get away from here, from him, as soon as possible 'cause I don't think that I can control my emotions while talking to him like this seeing as I have almost lost control while talking about my papa. He sure has a way to get people to talk their feelings out. And I sure as hell, can't keep up with my act anymore today. I feel fed up now. The only thing I can think of is my bed, in which I will just sleep. "Hey, I am sorry if you felt that way. I know that I can be a total jerk sometimes but
Entering the huge campus, I feel a bit awkward since I am not wearing a uniform like everyone else here. I walk straight towards the cafeteria of this campus where Darin is waiting for me. He has called me some ten minutes ago that his lunch break has started, so here I am to meet him. I am wearing a mustard yellow color sundress with ankle length black boots. I usually don't wear any makeup but since I am into this act, I have to. So, I have applied some foundation, compact powder and a bit of mascara. As soon as I enter the cafeteria, my eyes found the one I was looking for. There he is, sitting at a corner table alone with one of his earplugs plugged into his ear as he surfs through his phone. I go near him and sit infront."Hey!" "Hi!" He squeals, surprised. And I laugh. "Arabella, you almost got me a heart attack there!" He complains with a cute pout. Aww..."Sorry, sorry. I saw that you were quite busy with your phone, so I did not disturb you." I say teasing him."He glares a
Darin's POV Just as my last class ends, I quickly get out of the room and go straight to where I have parked my car. Reaching there, I call back my best friend who has called me three times earlier but I could not pick his call because I was in class. So, I had just left him a message saying that I will call him later. "Hey!" I chirp as soon as he picks up."Hi, where are you now?" He asks impatiently. I know that patience is not his virtue!"In my campus, why?" "Okay. Can you come pick me up, real quick? I have been waiting here for a cab but can't find any." "Alright, but where are you right now?" I ask getting into my car."I am at my training base. Come quick." "Okay!" I say before hanging up and turn on the ignition. But then a thought comes running into my mind. Oh, no! I have told Arabella that I will come by her mansion. But now I can't, my best friend needs me. I kill the ignition and call Arabella. And after five rings, she picks up."Hey!" Her light voice comes from th
"Please, just agree with us? It will be good for our plan, don't you think so? And besides, at times like this, you would not have to fret yourself much." Says Mr. Rossi. "Yes, darling! Don't think about this much now." Now says Mrs. Rossi."And don't think that we are doing it just for the plan. You are always welcome here." She adds."Thank you so much, Mr. and Mrs. Rossi, but..." "Please, no more buts!" She interrupts me. "You don't understand! I don't stay alone in that apartment." I tell them. "Whom do you stay with then? Your father said that you have come here alone." I shake my head at Mr. Rossi. "No, I don't stay alone. I have my Bambi with me." They frown at that. "Who?" They both ask at once. "Bambi! Oh, sorry. Bambino, my baby. He is two by the way." I inform them proudly. But this does nothing to help the creases that are formed on their foreheads. "You have a kid?""That too about two years of age?" Okay, I think they are confused!"Uh..yes! And he is an iguana.
Darin's POV "Darin! Come, let's go." Arment yells out for me to come out. Right now, I am in my bedroom. I have decided to put on a sweatpants and a black baseball cap. Lastly, I put on a hoodie. Since black is really eye catching, I decided on a plain grey one. Once I am done, I go out of my room with my wireless earplugs and phone in my hands. "Okay, let's get going." I say coming out."Finally!" He exclaims before going out with following his suit after locking my house. He settles on his beautiful blue and black sports bike which he is going to use for the match. However, it does not fail to remind of the most beautiful all midnight black street bike that belongs to her. Shaking my head slightly, I sit on the rear of his bike and he takes off to the destination. ....."DRACO, DRACO, DRACO..." The audience is screaming when the announcer introduces another participant who enters into the track with his black and green sports bike."And, the last competitor that we have here is
Darin's POV Phew...As soon as she drives away, I release a long awaited breath. Easing my hood, I look up in the direction where she went off. I don't know why but I did not wish her to see me tonight, but I am more than contented now that I have seen her again. Even if I could not face tonight as well. But her voice...I never realized that I have missed her voice so much! That same deep, dominating voice..."Arrogant bitch!" I whip my head to my left and notice that Arment is in a very bad mood.Commendable, after all, he could not win the match and now he has to face her cold attitude. I can understand his reaction. If I were in his position, I would have reacted the same way. But that is not the case here for I know her enough to be able to say that she is not bad even though her attitude can ward off other people. "Hey, man! Congrats anyway! At least you have come in the second position if not first. Don't be disheartened. You will do it the next time." I console him. He has wo
Darin's POV "Uh, yes, there is vaccine available for this one as well." I tell this to my student while I am explaining about the canine parvo virus to her. I can tell that she is so intelligent and super curious to learn such facts, and it should be since she is preparing to become a veterinary surgeon. She nods in understanding before scribbling it down on her notepad real quick. I bite down on my lower lip as I stare at her while feeling the surge of so many emotions in my heart. While writing, her long hair comes infront of her eyes and she tucks them behind her ear with a frown. She is always this cute! "Thank you, Darin!" She says after she is done jotting her notes down. With a shake of my head, I motion her to come near me, which she already is. Just a little bit more! Chewing on the end of her ball pen, she looks at me with a hint of a smile before scooting near me a bit more. And I pull her flush on top of me with ease to which she only giggles as she already had the idea t
Darin's POV Squinting my eyes, I glare at her playfully as she giggles at my creation. Currently, we are in the kitchen of my penthouse and I have made her a mid evening snack, something new out of something ordinary. And well, it turned out pretty um..bizarre. I don't know what had inspired me to make a new creation? I only ended up looking like a fool infront of my Angel! I look at her to find her laughing her ass off at me. Scoffing, I go to dump the bizarre of a dish into the bin. "You know that I cook well. It is just like sometimes when I..." "When you think that you should make some inventory and do some experiment, right?" She cuts me off adding her own thing. I let out of sigh and hum before leaning over to the counter where she is sitting on right now. Suddenly, the sour mood comes back when I remember that she is leaving tomorrow morning. And she senses it! Putting her arms around my neck, she pulls me closer to her. "I know that you don't want me to go, but like I said,
A gasp leaves my lips and I take a few steps ahead to stand near Mrs. Rossi and Ara. Holding onto her cheek, Ara keeps her head down staring at the floor while tears flow out of her eyes freely. Mrs. Rossi's eyes are also burning with the tears she is holding in. "How could you do this, Ara?" She asks disappointedly. "Why did you have to do this to your sister who has done nothing but protect you from the beginning." She says, but her words make me gulp down in guilt. Yes, I have protected Arabella but why? Because she was in danger just because of me in the first place! She is the victim here as well, as she had gotten tangled up in my mess and had to go into hiding when she should be out there enjoying her life to the full. She had done nothing to deserve all this drama! "I am very much disappointed in you, Arabella!" Mr. Rossi says in a displeased tone. I see her palm enclosing around the hem of the sundress as she tries to hold in some more tears from spilling out of her eyes. He
After telling Darin about the whole incident from that day, I heave a heavy sigh and look at him to gauge his reaction. His face comes out to be void of any expression as he stares at me. Not at me exactly, but at the bed post behind me. Though he staring, he is actually looking at anything in particular. With beautiful emerald green eyes hard, he clenches his sharp jaw still having that distant look. And I take that moment to admire his features, which are sharp. Though he is not a very muscled guy, he is quite fit since he is into football and all. His lean figure attracts me like no one else's ever did! How much in love I am with this creature blessed with the Greek God looks! "How could she do this?" His hard and gruff voice pulls me out of my forbidden imagination and I gaze at him after blinking twice. "I always had a feeling that she is somewhat jealous of you, and I know that she is a spoiled brat. But doing this...stooping this low?" He shakes his head as his eyes hold anger
*FLASHBACK*Dhanishta's POV Numb! All I feel right at this moment is numb! My head is throbbing and all I can see is darkness surrounding me from everywhere. What has happened? Where am I? As I try to open the lids of my eyes, I fail miserably. Why is it taking so much effort to open my eyes? Damnit! I give up on trying to open them again and just then, I hear a voice. It sounds unclear to my ears at first. But then I can hear it all clear. "Hello, baby!" Arabella! It is her! "How are you doing?" Whom is she talking to? And even calling them 'baby'? Does she have a boyfriend? Maybe. Not like we have ever talked much. "I know right! Yes, and I understand why you don't want to come here. I can totally understand. Even I am not that fond of her, you know. But you see, she is in a coma state temporarily and as her sister, I should at least look after her. And that is what I am doing right now." Sister? I guess then she is talking about me, but with whom? Her boyfriend? Why would she tal
"Why are you doing this, Angel?" He questions as he locks with emerald green eyes with me. Anger, confusion and...hurt swirl in them. With a genuine frown, I ask him back. "What am I doing exactly?" He suddenly takes in his arms pulling me flush against himself. "Darin!" I gasp out at the impact. He smiles down at me while looking into my eyes, but it really does not reach his eyes this time. "What is it that I am doing, Darin?" I ask him again and his eyes flicker from mine to settle on my moving lips, then back to them. "You really thought that I would never figure it out, Angel? Huh?" He asks making me all the more confused. What is he trying to get to? "If I tell you that I know about your facade, will you tell me the reason behind it?" What facade? And then...it hits me! Does he know that I am completely fine as well as my memory? I can feel all the blood rushing down from my face. And to confirm my doubt, he says, "Yes, I know that you have not lost your memory." He knows!! Bu
Darin's POV As I am standing here at the foot of the staircase waiting for Hani to come down, I am wondering if she will even come or not. I mean, she has earlier made herself clear that she will not come, but I have this feeling that she will come. And I am praying for that feeling to come out true now. Just then I hear the clicking of heels against the tiled stairs. I immediately turn to see who it is, and my breath gets hitched in the back of throat. There comes Hani, my Angel! The dress which she wears is not the one that I have chosen for her and I feel a slight bit disappointment. But at least she is coming with me, hopefully. As she comes down near and near to me, my lips part and a breath escapes them."Angel!" She gulps visibly before clearing her throat maybe, to catch my attention which is already solely on her. Blinking twice, I smile at her. "So, you finally decided to come to the ball with me?" I ask still not believing at what I am seeing. I need her to confirm it hers
Darin's POV "So, will you come with me?" I ask Dhanishta while she is sitting on the island of the kitchen munching on a granola bar. She only nods her head at me and continues to give that bar her sole attention. "Okay, it is decided then! We are going to the ball as dates." I annouce. And that is when she whips her head in my direction, with wide eyes. "What?" I ask innocently. "What, what? What did you just say?" She asks while squinting her eyes at me. "You were not listening? I said that you will come with me to the ball. That is all!" I tell her, even though I know what she meant by that. "No, no, not that!" She exclaims as she shakes her head vigorously. "What I am asking is, did you say that we are going there as a couple?" She asks, with eager and anxious eyes boring into mine. I smile brightly before nodding. "Yes, we are!" To this, she does not say anything and just stare at me with a distant look. Is she lost in her thoughts again? It is happening way too much with he
Humming a slow song, I descend down the stairs and go into the kitchen straight. With my grumbling stomach, I can eat a whole human! But guess what? I am not a cannibal!! Ha ha...Stop it, Hani! You are not funny. Chiding myself internally, I go to search through the kitchen cabinets while trying to minimalize the noise as much as possible. Well, do not want to wake anyone up due to this. And seeing as it is fifteen past one, in the night, I don't want anyone to come here directed by any sound and scold me for not having a full dinner and throwing tantrums. Uh, the thing that actually happened earlier during dinner for which I did not have dinner to the full is that...Darin was seated next to me at the dinning table, tending to my needs. But why?? Should he not be sitting next to Ara? Should he not be hating me? Or, he was doing all this out of pity because I have lost my memories, at least according to them? I...don't know! But whatever is his reason to do all that, it will not chang